Autocar opened its $120 million heavy-duty work truck assembly plant in Birmingham, Alabama. The facility is expected to employ 746 associates at full production.

The company occupies the former Meadowcraft furniture building, straddling the cities of Birmingham and Center Point, which has been vacant since 2009.

“We’re proud to be part of this Alabama family and look forward to building trucks, communities and dreams together,” said Autocar President Jim Johnston. “It’s a great day for Autocar, and it’s a really great day for Alabama. I want to commit to you that it’s only the beginning.”

“Birmingham is and has always been a city of builders so it stands to reason that the biggest, baddest trucks in America should be built nearby,” said Josh Carpenter, Director of Economic Development for the City of Birmingham.

Once fully operational, the Autocar facility will generate $645.1 million in annual economic impact, which includes a nearly $229 million annual contribution to Alabama’s GDP and $130 million in earnings to Alabama households from 2,655 direct and indirect jobs, according to a study by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce.

“Right here, Alabamians will build on the rich history of Autocar while producing forward-thinking trucks that will continue to modernize the way their customers work,” Governor Kay Ivey said.